A portrait of New York by painter Charles Sheeler and photographer Paul Strand. The title cards show quotes from Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass". Listed as Public Domain by Wikipedia.

"The film spans an imaginary day in the life of New York City, beginning with footage of Staten Island ferry commuters and culminating with the sun setting over the Hudson River. It has been described as the first avant-garde film made in America. Its many brief shots and dramatic camera angles emphasize New York's photographic nature." (http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/artists_view/manhatta_main.html)


This movie is part of the collection: Short Format Films

Producer: Charles Sheeler & Paul Strand
Audio/Visual: silent, b/w
Keywords: New York; Charles Sheeler; Paul Strand

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Reviewer: Ed Jr - - January 22, 2010
Subject: Golden Oldies
This may have been great in 1921, though I don't think so. I didn't see any thing great about it. Why it was regarded so highly escapes me.

Reviewer: barticle - - April 4, 2009
Subject: Great photography
Brief as it is, and despite the lack of sound track, this is a superb example of the art of film.

Reviewer: katpooh9 - - April 4, 2009
Subject: worth watching
A good view of a day in historic New York City. I would like to have seen more in the film; the markets, the subway, building interiors and such.